I concur with the responses that have been posted. In the past 2 summers since we purchased our Airstream, we have traveled over 20,000 miles. We usually vary our stops on heavy driving days. Walmarts are great quick stops, but I always check with the managers, who sometimes say that the No Overnight Parking sign in the lot is the town's idea, but Walmart is OK with it, and you take the personal risk of the police asking you to move. I have yet to have that happen. If you want to avoid that knock on the door at night, try the truck stops. Fuel up there first and then take a spot - a little noisy at times but OK. On the Ohio Turnpike there are RV spots in the service areas where you can get electric and use a dump station for only $15. After a couple of nights in the "freebee" areas we usually go to a campground for the convenienceof hook-ups for a night. Happy trails!!

This question has been asked several times. It kinda depends on the local ordinances. Here WalMart has signs up that say No COMMERCIAL VEHICLES and they were towing big rigs parked there. I ask inside and was told its not Walmart's idea.
I ask about RV's and was told "Just come tell us you are out there" They know we more than likely will buy grocery's or something from their store. Not that trucks will not but at least here they are goin to Bob Evans or Sonic to eat.

This is a bit 'off topic' but needs to be said. We've just returned from a 10,500 mile trip to the Pacific Northwest and are regular Wal-Mart shoppers. We went to restock our pantry yesterday at the Wal-Mart in Plymouth, MA. There were about a dozen RVs parked in the lot at Noon time. Most of them had dropped their dinghys to go off to see the sites. All had their roll outs all the way out. Stabilizers were down without pads. And two of them had their dogs tied up outside barking continuously. Awnings were down and lawn chairs were out. Maybe I missed the sign but I don't think Wal-Mart is running a campground! This sort of abuse will lead to loss of privilege.

__________________Dick and Claire Wiklund
North Falmouth, Massachusetts"Judgement is based on experience and experience is based on poor judgement"

NOT off topic, it is core to keeping the priviledge. Topic of title, it is parking not camping. When I ask manager, I always use the term overnight parking. I have had a couple verify "you will be leaving in the morning" and that they will notify the night patrol.

I wholeheartedly agree. When we overnight at a Wal-Mart, we always stop late, and leave early. That's the whole point in stopping at a Wal-Mart or a truck stop in the first place. When we do this, we are trying to make time and get to our destination, not camp in a parking lot. We always tell the management that we will be there for a few hours, and thank them for the privilege.

I, too, have seen many RVers actually 'camped' at Wal-Mart. I find this behavior personally embarrassing. on several occasions, I have gone on down the road, not wanting to be associated with these irresponsible people.

These cheap skates are going to eventually ruin it for the rest of us. And when this happens, the very jerks who ruined it will complain the loudest.

We just got back tonight on our 900 mile round trip to our retirement property. We made Wal-mart at 10:00 P.M. in Manchester Tn. and parked next to another RV and truckers. Very clean parking lot with security. Since I was up at 4:45 A.M. early for work and did not get home until 5:30 P.M> I had no problems sleeping. I plugged my CPAP into an inverter and I was out. I was up at 5:00 A.M and we hit the road 5:30. We have dogs so we had to do a couple of pit stops on our travel. We got to our property at 10:00 A.M. That gave us all day Friday, Saturday, and Sunday to enjoy the property. WE left at 8:00 A.M. Today and drove 450 miles back. It was worth it.

Last night I was unable to sleep. I had planned to go to WalMart in the morning - but it's open all night so I just went at about 2am. As I was pulling in I saw a small moho opening up their slide in preparation to finish the night there.

This particular WalMart is signed "no overnight parking" I've even been questioned for parking there 20 minutes while getting groceries and putting them in my A/S.

I walked over to the moho - and told them about the signs, advised them that at the very least they should keep the slide in, and told them where two close by campgrounds were located. I got the finger for my trouble; so I walked away and got my groceries. Imagine my delight when I came out to find the local constabulary writing the LIVID moho owner a ticket. (I SWEAR I didn't call the police.) The other RV owner apparently just got a warning because he wasn't camping, he was shopping.

So... check for the signs... ask the manager... buy some groceries, water, or toilet paper at least. LOOK like you're parked, not camped!

Paula

__________________
Today is a gift, that's why they call it the present.

A recent trip from Austin, up to Denver and I was able to stop at the Walmart in Dumas Texas. Several other RVS in the lot made for a quick rest stop, Also stopped at this Walmart on my way back from Denver.

A recent trip from Austin, up to Denver and I was able to stop at the Walmart in Dumas Texas. Several other RVS in the lot made for a quick rest stop, Also stopped at this Walmart on my way back from Denver.

Oh, if you're in Dumas, you can also take advantage of the free parking for RVers run by the city. It includes electricity, and water is available. The only issue is that it's located near the train tracks.
Lynn

This is just another fine example on how the Big Box stores suffocate small businesses. They'll do anything for a buck, (buy Tp and stay free). The small local campgrounds rely on multiple one nighters, not long termers, for their livelyhood. Please use the Nat'l Forest, BLM or the city lot, it's free and sometimes you can stay up to 14 days. It makes our stomachs turn when we see Airstreamers scabing off these places in the middle of the night. What joy can one find "camping" at Wally World? Oh, you saved a buck, but did you really in the long run?

It's a tough one. On the one hand, yes, small businesses try to make it work. However, there are always going to be folks out there who do not and would never stay at an RV park. That's ok by me; the last folks we want here are unhappy campers being forced into the park by some city law. If they want to stay at Walmart (or whatever), go do it!
Lynn

Quote:

Originally Posted by 64trotter

This is just another fine example on how the Big Box stores suffocate small businesses. They'll do anything for a buck, (buy Tp and stay free). The small local campgrounds rely on multiple one nighters, not long termers, for their livelyhood. Please use the Nat'l Forest, BLM or the city lot, it's free and sometimes you can stay up to 14 days. It makes our stomachs turn when we see Airstreamers scabing off these places in the middle of the night. What joy can one find "camping" at Wally World? Oh, you saved a buck, but did you really in the long run?